Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
F rustration charged through Scarlett as she called Antonio one more time. He was supposed to meet her and Bella at the house so they could go to the concert in the park, but he hadn’t shown. Knowing he was probably trying to do that “one more thing” at work, she’d decided to head to the park and hopefully meet him there.
“Mommy, is my dad coming?” Bella asked from the back seat as she unfastened her seatbelt.
“I’m not sure, honey. He hasn’t called me back.” She’d been trying to reach him for the last forty minutes. After leaving two messages and a text, she didn’t bother leaving another.
Tonight was the last day of the summer’s free concerts in the park. They had already missed several of them over the last few months because of his hectic work schedule. She had hoped they could finally get one in. Apparently not. At least not as a family.
As Scarlett was getting out of the car, her cell phone rang, and relief flooded through her. At least until she realized it wasn’t Antonio.
“Hey, Sis,” she answered and moved around to the trunk to pull out the stuff they’d brought with them. “You guys here yet?” The plan had been to meet Mahogany, Ben, and Jayden there, have a little picnic, and enjoy the music.
“We are, and we found a great spot not too close, and not too far from the stage.”
Mahogany gave her directions on where to find them before Scarlett disconnected the call. As she and Bella placed the picnic basket, chairs, and blanket into the wagon, Scarlett debated on calling Antonio again. But why bother? It was clear work had become more important than her and Bella.
He’d been working long hours, promising it was only temporary. She wanted to be supportive in his new role as VP. She also understood how hard it was to get acclimated to a new position. Still, enough was enough. He had missed three events because of work. It wouldn’t be a big deal if he hadn’t committed to them, but he had and then flaked on each one. This time was worse because he hadn’t even called.
“Well, let’s go find your Aunt Momo, Uncle Ben, and Jayden,” Scarlett said and started on the long walk.
When she reached the area where her sister said they’d be, it took a moment before she spotted them. Now she needed to get her attitude in check. This was the first time she’d been truly mad at Antonio, and she didn’t want to take her frustrations out on anyone else.
“Hey, you guys made it,” Ben said as he approached them and took over pulling the wagon. “Where’s Ant?”
Scarlett sighed. “Probably working. He’s not answering my calls.”
Without responding, Ben pulled out his cell phone and made a call. After several rings, he made another call with the same results. “I tried his cell and his office. After I help get you guys situated, I’ll call around and see if I can find him. It’s not like him not to answer calls.”
Scarlett hadn’t been worried until that moment. What if something happened to him? Ben was right, Antonio was good about calling if he was going to be late and getting messages to her. She couldn’t ever remember him not answering when she called, but lately he’d been so distracted, she wasn’t sure what to think.
Antonio was doing too much. He’d been coming home exhausted because he was trying to be everything to everybody at work. Then because of the promises he’d made to her, he came home, cooked, and tried to spend as much time with her and Bella as possible. Something had to give. He couldn’t keep going like this, not just because she wanted to see more of him. But also, because he had workaholic tendencies, it wasn’t good for his health.
For the next hour, they enjoyed the local band who played everything from Boys II Men hits to some of Phil Collins most notable songs. The lead singer was talented, and he and the band helped take Scarlett’s mind off the fact that she still hadn’t heard from Antonio.
Bella, who had been lying on the blanket next to Jayden, stood up. Scarlett assumed she had to use the bathroom.
“Mommy, can you call Daddy again? I want him to come here with us. He’s missing the concert.”
“I know, sweetie, but I already left messages for him.”
“I just received a text from Nate,” Ben said while glancing down at his phone. “Antonio is at a meeting with one of our biggest clients.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know.” Scarlett was glad that he was all right, but it didn’t explain why he hadn’t called them back.
Ben stood. “Hey, who wants ice cream?”
Scarlett could’ve kissed him. There were several food trucks nearby, and with him taking the kids, it would give her and Mahogony a chance to chat.
“Everything okay with you and Antonio?” Mahogany asked when the kids and Ben left.
“Except for him putting work before us, everything is wonderful.” Scarlett fiddled with her wedding ring. “He’s the sweetest, most attentive man I’ve ever met. I feel so blessed to have him in my life.” She sighed and glanced at Mahogany who smiled knowingly at her. “How did you know you were in love with Ben?”
After a short hesitation, her sister said, “I’m not sure how I knew, but I remember when it happened. It was that day I was literally running after him, and then I fell down the stairs. We didn’t know each other, not really. But even though I might’ve cost him a major job, he didn’t think twice about taking me to the hospital. More than that, he waited for me.”
Scarlett smiled. Her sister was a klutz on any given day. It was no surprise that an accident helped her snag her man. “And you lived happily ever after,” Scarlett said and laughed, remembering that day as if it were yesterday.
“Exactly,” Mahogany said, laughing. “But seriously, if you’re asking me that question, I assume your feelings for Antonio have changed.”
“I’m not sure if they’ve changed, but our connection is even more intense than I ever thought possible.”
“Why are you so hesitant to admit you’re in love?”
Scarlett looked at her sister and frowned. “Because I don’t know if I am. That’s why I’m asking you how you knew.”
Mahogany huffed out a breath. “I’m not sure what to tell you except, when it happens, you’ll know.”
Scarlett hated that response. It was like a non-answer as far as she was concerned. When it happened, would she really just know?
* * *
Antonio strolled into his office, mad that he had left his phone there. It wouldn’t have been a big deal, but what was supposed to be a drink with one of their long-time clients, had turned into dinner. He hadn’t expected to be out so late and knew Scarlett was probably wondering why he wasn’t home yet.
“I should’ve planned today better,” he muttered.
Actually, he hadn’t planned to meet with the guy in the first place. Nate was the one who had agreed to discuss business over drinks, but then something came up, and he’d asked Antonio to fill in. The worst part was Antonio hadn’t been able to suggest meeting on a different day. Mr. Smith was only in town for the day and wanted to discuss upcoming projects.
Well, at least that was done, and Antonio could get home to his girls.
When he approached his desk, he spied a large white envelope that hadn’t been there when he left. There was a note saying it had been delivered by messenger, and then he noticed it had come from his father’s law office.
Excitement bubbled up inside of him, and a smile spread across his face as he opened it. He hoped it was what he thought it was—the final decree confirming he was Bella’s father. Since he and Scarlett were married and Ezra was deceased, Luke felt the adoption wouldn’t take as long to be finalized. Looks like he was right.
Antonio pulled out the document and did a fist pump in the air. Bella was officially his daughter. In the envelope was also a new birth certificate for her, which was a surprise. They’d been told it would take longer to receive it, but apparently, whatever his legal team had done to speed up the process, worked.
This is cause for a celebration .
He shoved everything back into the envelope and grabbed his cell phone from the charger. A quick glance at the screen and he froze. Unease prickled down his spine and fear nipped at every cell in his body. He had missed numerous calls from Scarlett and Ben.
Something must have happened. Just when he started to call Scarlett, he remembered.
Oh no. No, no, no. How the hell had he forgotten their plans for the night?
“Damn, damn, damn!”
He rushed out of the office, locking the door behind him before jogging to the elevator. When he glanced at his watch, he realized it was too late to head to the park and growled under his breath. Scarlett was going to kill him.
He sent her a quick text letting her know he was on his way home.
“Damn work,” he grumbled and jumped into his car.
It was always work. His life lately was centered around his new VP position, but no way would he risk his marriage for a job. He couldn’t screw this up. He had waited too long to have the family he had always dreamed of. He couldn’t let this new position or anyone else get in the way. Scarlett and Bella had to always come first.
By the time Antonio arrived home and pulled into the garage, he was exhausted. He had already been tired before realizing he had messed up royally tonight. But trying to figure out how to make things right with his girls had used up what little energy he’d had left.
After leaving the office, he stopped at the store, picked up flowers, and bought apology gifts. He just hoped it would be enough.
Walking into the house, he stopped in the kitchen and hung up his keys. “Hello,” he called out loud enough for them to hear him even if they were upstairs.
He immediately heard Bella’s footsteps running overhead, and he smiled. Even if Scarlett was pissed, Bella would give him some grace. He loved her at this age, where she always seemed excited to see him when he walked through the door. He’d heard people at work talk about their teenage daughters, and he already knew he wasn’t looking forward to that stage in her life.
“Daddy! You’re home,” she said and ran to him, hugging him tightly. “Where were you? Mommy was trying to call… Oooh, are those Twizzlers for me?”
“Yes, they are, and these are too.” Antonio handed her a small bouquet of wildflowers. “I’m sorry I missed the concert. I totally forgot about it, and then I ended up working late.”
“It’s okay. These are pretty. Thank you,” she said and gave him another hug.
This wasn’t the first time he had brought her and her mother flowers. Yet, it was the first time he was using them as part of his apology.
“Since it’s a little late, you can only eat two Twizzlers tonight.”
“How about three?” she countered, grinning up at him, and of course Antonio gave in.
“Where’s your mom?”
“Upstairs,” Bella said absently as she dug into her candy.
Antonio kissed the top of her head and went in search of his wife. When he made it to their bedroom, the door was closed, and he braced himself for an argument. They didn’t disagree on much, but he knew tonight would be different.
He entered the bedroom and found Scarlett on the bed, propped up against the headboard while thumbing through a magazine. She spared him a glance but didn’t speak. Clearly, it was going to take more than flowers and chocolate to get back into her good graces.
“I’m sorry,” he said, and strolled around to her side of the bed, then sat on the edge of the mattress.
He set the envelope with Bella’s adoption papers on the nightstand, and still, Scarlett said nothing. She acted as if he wasn’t even there, and Antonio eased the magazine from her grasp, afraid she might knock him upside the head with it.
“I am so sorry, sweetheart,” he said and handed her the flowers and dark chocolate. “I know I messed up, and I promise it won’t happen again.”
Scarlett released a noisy sigh. “Tony, it was bad enough that you didn’t show up for the concert, but not calling to let me know you were okay is unacceptable.” She brought the flowers to her nose and inhaled. “These are lovely, and they smell amazing. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He turned his back to her, and leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs. As he stared down at the floor, exhaustion settled over him. He felt like he could sleep a week, but first, he had to make things right.
“I don’t have a good excuse for forgetting the concert. It totally slipped my mind. As for missing your calls, Nate was supposed to have drinks with one of our clients, but he had an emergency at home. At the last minute, he asked me to fill in.”
“And you couldn’t call to say you’ll be late?”
He shrugged. “I was caught up in the moment. This is one of our biggest clients who’s used us for every property he’s purchased in Ohio. In my rush to get to the restaurant, I forgot my phone in the office. We were only supposed to have a drink, but it ended up being dinner.”
When Scarlett didn’t say anything, Antonio glanced over his shoulder at her. She was eating the chocolates he’d brought her. That was a good sign, then she looked at him. Those big, beautiful brown eyes did it to him every time. All the love he felt for her seemed to multiply. She was everything to him. How could he have let work dominate so much of his time over the last three months?
“Something has to change,” she said between bites before setting the chocolate on the nightstand. “You can’t keep going like this. Half sleeping, barely eating, and now you’re missing family outings. At this rate, you’re going to work yourself to death and for what? I get that this new position is your dream job, but ten, and twelve-hour days, six days a week is too much.”
She reached over and cupped his cheek, and Antonio leaned into her touch and closed his eyes. She was right about everything. Changes were needed, and he had to make them sooner than later. He had the authority to hire some help, and he needed to take the time to do it.
When he opened his eyes, Scarlett leaned forward and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her in even closer, loving on her mouth, her sweetness. Yeah, he couldn’t allow a job to mess up what they’d been building.
When the kiss ended, she rested her forehead against his. “I forgive you, but you need to know I can handle a cancellation from time to time, but I can’t handle you not calling. First, I was mad at you, but then I was worried something had happened.”
He gave her another quick kiss. “I know, and I’m sorry I worried you. It won’t happen again.”
He straightened and grabbed the envelope. “I received some good news today.”
“Is that what I think it is?”
Antonio nodded and handed her the document. “I was thinking we could tell Bella the news together.”
Scarlett skimmed through the papers. “This is awesome, and they were able to get the birth certificate already.” She set everything aside and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s official, my dear. You have a daughter.”
Antonio grinned as warmth spread through him. Every day, he felt like the luckiest man alive, but in this moment, the feeling had multiplied. How was this his life? Months ago, he was at his brother’s wedding feeling sorry for himself, and now? Now he had everything he had longed for.
“Thank you for coming into my life and making it a thousand times better,” he said to Scarlett before kissing her deeply. Antonio tried to put everything he felt for her into that kiss. He loved her so much.
“We should probably have makeup sex,” he said against her lips, and Scarlett laughed.
“I wouldn’t say no to that.”
“Okay, but first, let me go get Bella so we can tell her the good news. Then you’re all mine.”
Scarlett smiled at him so sweetly, Antonio was sure his heart cracked open. He had never loved a human being the way he loved her, and it was exciting and a little scary. If she never fell in love with him and decided to leave one day, he didn’t think he would ever recover.
“Actually, that won’t be necessary. She already knows you’re her dad. She doesn’t need a piece of paper to tell her that. Besides, I’m going to be a little selfish right now because I want you all to myself.”
“Is that right?”
“Yep. So let the making up begin.”